The Real Life Workout
Sounds unlikely that someone who works out so hard cannot lose weight, doesn’t it? It is not the one hour of exercise 
that counts as much as the remaining 23 hours of inactivity. With all modern amenities and household help to clean and cook, there is no need to budge from your chair. The watchman brings up your shopping bags, the local kirana grocer delivers your provisions, and your dhobi washes and irons your clothes. You work, read, go online, have coffees with friends, and sit at your work desk complaining that losing weight is so difficult.
Whether it is one hour in the gym or 30 minutes of brisk walking, exercise routines are great and should definitely be continued. However, if weight loss or even weight maintenance is your goal then you need to fit in more activity through the day and do something that will make you burn calories and rev your metabolism.
This will not automatically happen – you have to think about it, plan it and practice it, especially if you are used to a sedentary lifestyle. The following are examples of some people make that extra effort to stay active.(names have been changed)
Do household chores – Seema Shah’s maid quit and she could not find one for nearly a month. During that month she was doing most of the cleaning herself and lost 3 kilos. She had been trying to lose weight with no success for over 4 years. Now, one year later she has maintained the weight loss. Seema gives her new maid once a week off and she continues to do the housework on that day. She also has no problems with keeping maids—the weekly off is a great perk. You work to afford certain luxuries and one of those luxuries is household help – help that will clean your home, cook your food and look after your children. Keep in mind though that health is something money cannot buy and it is something you have to work hard at preserving – in every way possible. I am not advocating sweeping and swabbing every day or firing your household help, but pick something you can do such as folding and putting away clothes, cleaning cupboards, clearing the dining table – do it once or twice a week but make a conscious effort to keep moving and not only will you get some activity but your house will be cleaner and as well! If your maid does not show up do not get hassled, use it as opportunity to burn calories instead. If the doorbell rings, get up and answer it. If you forgot your socks upstairs go and get them — do not send someone else to get them. If your roommate needs something, offer to get it.
Take the stairs – advice I have been giving my clients for years and advice you’ve heard before but now you understand why it is so important. If you live on higher floors, consider yourself lucky — you can get a natural workout(it is great for the legs). My client Jyothi Bhide sends up the shopping bags with her watchman and takes the stairs at least 2-3 times a day and she lives on the 7th floor! Same goes for the workplace. At lunchtime, climb up a few flights of stairs. Perspiration can be managed with some good anti-perspirant – any other excuses?
Walking – I know our streets are not conducive to walking, but do it anyway. You need not walk far, but walk often, and throughout the day. Walk to the corner store to get milk; do not send your driver or watchman. Walk your child to school, walk to do your shopping or to visit a friend. Get up from your desk and take a five minute walk around the house or office every hour. One well known doctor I know walks on crowded Karve Road every morning and evening to and from his hospital. He says it keeps him fit and relaxes him before he goes for morning surgeries.
